Driving mechanism for washing-machines.



.1. L. con-m0.

DRIVING MECHANISM FOR WASHING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR- 271' 1918.

Patented Oct. 1, 1918 3 SHEETS--SHEET I.

J. L. COFFIELD. DRIVING MECHANISM FOR WASHING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.27. 1918. 1,280,166, Patented 00t.1,1918.

3 $HEETSSHEET 2.

J. L. COFFIELD.

DRIViNG MECHANISM FOR'WASHING MACHINES. APPLICATION FILED mmzr. 1919.

1,280,166. Patented 0@1;.1,191s.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- Jar/ins L. corrmnn, or narrow, OHIO.

Specification of Letters Patent.

DRIVING MECHANISM FOR WASHING-MACHINES.

Patented Oct. 1, 11218.

Application filed March 27, 1918. Serial No. 224,919.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAisins L. Corr'mw, a

c1t1zen.of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Driving Mechanisms for Washing-Machines, of which the following is a specification. This invention relates tonew and useful improvements in driving mechanisms for washing machines. The object of the invention is to provide a more simplified and direct. means for operating a washing machine from reduction gearing used in connection with a high speed motor engine. A further object of the invention is to provide an improved and eflicient type of clutch mechanism for imparting an oscillating movement to the clothes receptacle.

Before entering into a more particular description of the invention reference is made to the accompanying drawings, of which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a washing machine having my improvements applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of a washing machine having my improvements applied thereto. Fi 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of ig. 1. Fig.- 4. is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a top plan view of Fig. 5 showing the clutch mechanism in a different view, and- Fig. 7 is a detail view of one member of the clutch.

In a particular description of the invention similar reference characters denote similar parts as they are shown in the drawings.

The frame of the washing machine consists of two side members 11 which are made of metal and are of an open work character as shown in Fig. 1. These side members of the frame are united by suitable cross members 2 and upon one of said side frame members the driving gear is mounted. The clothes receptacle 3 is mounted between the side frame members 1-1 and the same is adapted to be given the oscillating movement upon trunnions which form pivots 25 and 4. journaled in the side frame members. The clothes receptacle 3 is driven from a suitable motor 5 of electric. type which is mounted out of the way in ,a lower portion of the frame of the washing machine. From the motor shaft 6 power is transmitted through a belt 7 to a pulley 8, the pulley 8 being mounted on a shaft 9 which has its bearing in the adjacent side frame member of the Washing ma chine. The speed of the transmitted power is reduced from the shaft 9 through the employment of a, relatively small pinion 10 which is on the inner end of said shaft. The

: pinion 1O gears with a large spur wheel 11 which reduces the speed from the pulley 8. The pinion 10 and the gear 11 are inclosed in anoff-set casing 12 which projects out-from the side frame 1. The said spur gear 11 is provided with a bearing for its shaft13 in the side frame 1 and the fl' set 12, and on the end of the shaft 13 extending through,

'20 respectively. The connecting rod 17 is connected to the clutch disk or member 19 by suitable connection 21, such. connection being of a character that permits of little freedom of movement of that end of the connecting rod independent of the clutch member to which it is connected. The other disk or clutch member 20 is rigidly attached.

to an end of the cylinder 3 or clothes receptacle and on the outer face thereof are two projections 22 which are adapted to nter corresponding cavities 23 in the face 0 the other dis]; or clutch member 19. In Fig. 7 the inner side of the clutch member 19 is shown to be partially faced with a friction material 24 such as leather, andthe space surrounded by this leather facing 24L is that in which the cavities 23 are provided. It will therefore be seen that the projectionsv 22 on the other member of the clutch will ride upon the metal portion of the disk 19 until they enter the cavities 23 at which time the two clutch members are. united and the clothes receptacle will be given oscillating movement during which the clothes are cleansed. The journal 25 of that end of the clothes receptacle has its bearing in a portion 26 that projects from the side frame 1. 27 is a hollow boss which projects from the side frame part 26 and through which the journal 25 .extends. The clutch disk or member 19 is slidably mounted on the outer hollow shaft 27 through means of a hub 28 which extends from the outer side of the said clutch member 19. The hub 28 has a peripheral groove 29 formed therein and mounted upon said boss 27 between the hub 28 and the frame part 26, is a compression spring 30 which exerts a normal force against the hub 28 to move the clutch disk 19 toward the clutch disk 20. This provides the driving connection between the clutch member as a whole and the spur gear 11, it being understood that the disk 19 is connected to the gear 11 by the connecting rod 17. The spring 30 is overcome in the act of disengaging the clutch members to stop the transmission of power to the clothes receptacle, by a hand operated lever 31 which is fixed to a shaft 32 mounted to rotate in a portion of the frame 26. The shaft 32 carries on its lower end a crank 33 with a pin 34 projecting therefrom and entering theperipheral groove 29 in the clutch hub 28. The movement of the lever 31 past center as shown in Fig. 6 has the efiect of causing a disengagement of the clutch members 19 and 20, such movement being against the force of the spring 30. The movement of the lever 31 necessary for this result is regulated by a stop 35 which projects from the upper portion of the frame 26. From the description given above it will be readily seen that the power is controlled by the lever 31 and that when the lever is given a certain movement away from the stop 35 the effect of the spring 30 is to throw the clutch member 19 in contact with the clutch member 20. The metal projections 22 at that time engage the exposed metal surface of the clutch member 19 and ride into the cavities 23. At this instant the clothes receptacle 3 begins to oscillate and continues during the period of engagement between the clutch members. A belt tension device is provided for maintaining the proper engagement between the belt 7 and pulley 8. This device consists of an angular lever 36 which is fulcrumed at 37 to an adjacent part of the side frame 1. One arm of this lever carries a grooved friction wheel 38 which receives the belt and the other arm of said lever is connected with a spring 39 connected to an adjacent part of frame 1. The shaft 16 hereinbefore referred to has its lower end supported in a bearing 40 projecting from the ofi'-set portion 12 of the frame. The upper portion of said shaft 16 has a bearing in a similar portion 41 which is secured to the upper end of the side 'frame 1. The shaft 16 extends up beyond the bearing 41 and is utilized to drive the rollers of a wringer which is mounted above the washing machine frame. The 65 wringer is no part of the present invention menace therefore it need be but briefly referred to. The said wringer consists of a frame 42 which is supported on a swinging arm 43 extending parallel with the upper portion receptacle, the connecting rod being con nected with one portion of said clutch, and means for disengaging said clutch when it is desired to disconnect the gearing from the clothes receptacle. I

2. In a washing machine of the type specified, the combination with a clothes receptacle, of reduction driving gearing, a connecting rod connected to one member of said gearing, a clutch, one member of which is connected to said connecting rod and the other member of which is connected with the clothes receptacle, and means for effecting an engagement and disengagement of the clutch members.

3. In a washing machine of the type specified, the combination with a clothes receptacle, of driving means including two reduction gears, a connecting'rod connected directly to one of said gears, a clutch, one member of which is connected to said connecting rod and the other member of which is attached to' the clothes receptacle, a spring engaging one of said clutch members, and an operating lever engaging the same clutch member and ada ted in its operation to overcome the force 0 said spring as disengaging the members of the clutch.

4. In a washing machine of the character specified, the combination with a clothes receptacle, of a reduction gear for driving said clothes receptacle and including two transmission gears, a connecting rod connected to one, of said gears, a clutch, one member of which is connected to the clothes receptacle and the other member of which is attached to said connecting rod, the clutch member so attached to the connecting rod being supported on the same axis as that of the clothes receptacle, and a spring exle)rting a force to engage said clutch memers.

5. lln a washing machine of the type specified, the combination with a clothes receptacle, of a reduction gear for driving said clothes receptacle and including two intermeshing spur gears, a clutch consisting of two members one being mounted on the clothes receptacle, a tubular boss supporting the journal of said clothes receptacle, the other clutch member being mounted upon said tubular boss, a shifting device engaging said last named clutch member and including a hand operated lever, and a spring mounted upon said tubular boss and engaging said last named clutch member.

C 6. In a driving gear fol: washing machines the combination of an oscillating clothes receptacle, 3, main rotary shaft, a clutch member, means for imparting an'oscillating movement to said clutch member from the continuous rotary movement of the main shaft, and means for operatin said clutch member to stop and start sai clothes receptacle while said main shaft is in motion. 7 In a washing machine, the combination of an oscillating clothes receptacle, driving means therefor, a clutch member adapted to engage one end of said clothes receptacle, and means for throwing said clutch member in and out of engagement with the end of said clothes receptacle. I

In testimony whereof I afix my signature.

' JAMES L. COFFIELD. 

